Seven national water and wastewater associations asked House and Senate members to oppose cuts to the FY 13 appropriations for the Drinking Water and Clean Water State Revolving Funds (SRFs) requested by the Obama Administration. The White House budget proposed $359M in reductions next year but even more efforts to further reduce this funding are anticipated. The seven water agencies include: National Association of Clean Water Agencies, Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies, American Water Works Association, Association of State Drinking Water Administrators, Association of Clean Water Administrators, Water Environment Federation and American Public Works Association.

Financial assistance is needed now by wastewater treatment and drinking water providers to update water-related infrastructure. The necessary capital improvements are required to address climate change consequences including both an onslaught of water or an acute shortage.

Pat Mulroy, general manager of the Las Vegas Valley Water District, testified at a Congressional hearing on March 20th that "… the consequences of climate change are happening now in Las Vegas." He addressed the investments required to construct extra intakes to deal with lower water levels in Lake Mead.

A 2009 study by CH2MHill commissioned by the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies and the National Association of Clean Water Agencies concluded that the collective costs for utilities to manage climate change impacts could be as high as $448B to $944B by 2050. According to CH2MHill, EPA estimates that $500B is needed to upgrade and maintain existing infrastructure.